Fed-OSHA is holding a stakeholder meeting July 17, in Washington, D.C., to discuss the future direction of its Voluntary Protection Programs. The agency’s aim is to “reshape VPP so that it continues to represent safety and health excellence, leverages partner resources, further recognizes the successes of long-term participants, and supports smart program growth.” Fed-OSHA is […]
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Cal/OSHA Seeks Huge Penalties in Refinery Explosion
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health has cited ExxonMobil Refining for 19 alleged violations following an investigation into the February 18 explosion at the company’s Torrance refinery. The incident only slightly injured four workers, but investigators concluded that management had been aware of hazardous conditions at the unit in question, yet took no steps […]
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Standards Board Finally Gets Seats Filled
Gov. Jerry Brown has reappointed four current members of the Cal/OSH Standards Board and named two new members to Cal/OSHA’s rulemaking body. The appointments are being said to provide both stability and new faces to the board. The newly appointed members are Robert Blink, 62, of San Francisco, and John Sacco, 60, of Rocklin. Both […]
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Short Window to Comment on Heat Illness Guidance
Do you have questions about Cal/OSHA’s new revisions to the heat illness prevention regulation? Do you want the Division of Occupational Safety and Health to address your ideas and concerns in its updated guidance document on the regulation? You have to act fast – before Friday, March 6 if you want to weigh in. DOSH […]
Curated Content Articles of Interest from Around the Web
News Digest 4-15-2021
MIOSHA will extend COVID restrictions in offices for six months
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Michigan OSHA will extend COVID restrictions on offices for another six months. The latest restrictions were set to expire on Wednesday. The current restrictions require remote work when it is feasible. WILX (Lansing, Mich.)
OR-OSHA fines diner fined more than $35K for willful violations
Oregon OSHA has fined two related restaurants, one in Bend and one in Redmond, more than $35,000 for allegedly willfully allowing indoor dining between January and February, in violation of standards designed to protect employees from COVID-19. KATU (Portland)
Iowa DoC pushed bill to remove safety protections from employees
After being warned about potential dangers in its facilities, the Iowa Department of Corrections proposed a bill this legislative session to increase the threshold for an IOSH inspection to occur when an attack happened inside a prison. In an inspection triggered by an attack by inmates on staff inside a state penitentiary, Iowa OSHA charged that the prison did not have a reliable way to contact other employees for help during an emergency. About eight months later, two inmates killed two staff members. KCRG
Massachusetts tax service fined for prohibiting employees and clients from wearing masks
The owner of a Lynn, Massachusetts tax-preparation service faces more than $136,000 in penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor for allegedly prohibiting her employees and customers from wearing masks and social distancing. Fed-OSHA opened its March 17 inspection after a referral from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Labor Standards. Boston Herald
Fed-OSHA investigating contract employee’s death Pennsylvania township
Police and Fed-OSHA officials are investigating after a 46-year-old man contract employee of an oil and gas services company was fatally injured while working on a gas rig Tuesday morning. PA Homepage
Going back to the office? How Texas employers are handling vaccine situation
Many employers are hoping to get their employees inoculated. In turn, they face an array of legal considerations. Where will employers go from here? Tyler Morning Telegraph